US6362844B1 - Structure of a piezoelectric ink-jet printer head - Google Patents
Structure of a piezoelectric ink-jet printer head Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US6362844B1 US6362844B1 US08/956,884 US95688497A US6362844B1 US 6362844 B1 US6362844 B1 US 6362844B1 US 95688497 A US95688497 A US 95688497A US 6362844 B1 US6362844 B1 US 6362844B1
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- Prior art keywords
- actuator
- ink
- layer
- deformable layer
- printer head
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
- B41J2/14201—Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements
- B41J2/14233—Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements of film type, deformed by bending and disposed on a diaphragm
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
- B41J2/14201—Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements
- B41J2/14233—Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements of film type, deformed by bending and disposed on a diaphragm
- B41J2002/14258—Multi layer thin film type piezoelectric element
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an ink-jet printer head of the piezoelectric type.
- An ink-jet printer head of the thermal-bubble type is conventionally used to jet the ink onto a medium to form an image thereon.
- the printer head of the type typically generates a large driving force. i.e. about 40 atmosphere pressures, onto the ink droplet being jetted. At the moment the ink droplet leaves the printer head, a droplet trailing phenomenon is observed. Therefore, ink-jet printer of the type wastes ink, and has difficulty in controlling the desired shape and size of the ink droplet. In addition, lower resolution printing quality is also the drawback with the thermal-bubble type ink-jet printer.
- the piezoelectric type is another category of the ink-jet printer head which utilizes a piezoelectric ceramic plate as an actuator for driving the ink.
- the driving force of such type is about 4 atmosphere pressures, which is much smaller than one generated by the thermal-bubble type. Due to the characteristic of driving mechanism, the size of the ink droplet is smaller and the droplet trailing phenomenon is substantially reduced.
- the piezoelectric type printer head saves ink and has a higher resolution compared with the thermal-bubble ink-jet type.
- the piezoelectric ceramic plate is made with one predetermined polarization direction.
- the deformation of the piezoelectric material will be in X direction, when an electric field is applied in Z direction.
- the deformation of the piezoelectric material will be in Z direction, when the applied electric field is in Z direction.
- Two well known conventional approaches are used to operate the piezoelectric type printer head. The first one involves utilizing a multi-layer piezoelectric ceramic plate as an actuator to jet the ink as shown in FIG.
- the multi-layer, i.e. 8 layers, piezoelectric ceramic plate 20 is disposed in a housing with the bottom end fixed and the upper end free to move.
- the polarization direction of each layer of the piezoelectric ceramic plate 20 is d 33 .
- the positive electrodes for each layer within the multi-layer ceramic plate 20 together form a comb configuration denoted as 100 .
- the negative electrodes for each layer within the multi-layer ceramic plate 20 together form a comb configuration denoted as 200 .
- the multi-layer piezoelectric ceramic plate 20 is positioned under the outlet 22 with the upper end moves in a vertical direction.
- FIG. 3 a shows a cross-sectional view of the structure in which the side walls of the ink tank 302 deforms in response to the voltage applied across the corresponding electrodes.
- the shown cross section is perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension (into the paper) of the ink tanks 301 , 302 , 303 .
- the structure includes a plurality of single-layer piezoelectric ceramic segments 321 , 322 , 323 , 324 which are formed by a diamond cutting process on a single sheet of piezoelectric ceramic plate. After the cutting procedure, corresponding side walls of two successive piezoelectric ceramic segments, i.e. 322 , 323 , constitute one ink tank 302 therebetween.
- the electrodes 39 on the inner surface of each ink tank are respectively formed by an electrodeless nickel plating process.
- a sheet of glass or ceramic plate 34 is covered and connected onto the upper surface of the piezoelectric ceramic segments to totally enclose the tank space. Two voltages A, B shown in FIG. 3 ( b ) are applied across the respective electrodes to create corresponding deformation as desired.
- the right side wall of the tank 302 deforms rightwards and the left side wall of the tank 302 deforms leftwards. Therefore, the size of the ink tank 302 increases due to the deformation.
- the space of the ink tanks 302 increases, and the ink will be drawn from an ink container (not shown) into the ink tank 302 .
- the voltage A drops sharply to a negative value and the voltage B elevates sharply to a positive value. Due to this opposite action, the dimension of the tank 302 decreases due to the deformation of the piezoelectric ceramic segments 322 , 323 in a reverse direction. As the space of the ink tank 302 decreases, the ink is jetted from the ink tank 302 via an outlet 31 .
- the plastic substrate 38 is made of soft and resilient material which also helps the ink tank 302 generate the driving force. Since the electrodeless plating process is used to manufacture the electrodes 39 , its endurance against the ink erosion is enhanced. However, this second approach of the piezoelectric type printer head is complex in structure and in manufacturing. More details regarding the second approach disclosed in FIG. 3 ( a ) can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,627.
- the main object of the present invention is to provide a ink-jet printer head of the piezoelectric ceramic type which has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture.
- the printer head includes a deformable polymer membrane, an ink tank and a dual-layer piezoelectric ceramic plate.
- the dual-layer piezoelectric ceramic plate is mounted on the deformable polymer membrane which functions to apply a perturbation force to the ink within the ink tank.
- the dual-layer of the piezoelectric ceramic plate includes an top layer and a bottom layer, both of which have same polarization direction. One end of the piezoelectric ceramic plate is fixed to the membrane and the other end is free to vibrate. When a voltage is applied across two electrodes at the fixed end of the dual-layer piezoelectric ceramic plate, the free end of the dual-layer piezoelectric ceramic plate vibrates. Through the deformable membrane, a perturbation force is created and drives the ink to be jetted outside the ink tank via an outlet.
- FIG. 1 shows the relationship between the polarization direction of a piezoelectric ceramic plate and the direction of the corresponding deformation
- FIG. 2 shows a conventional printer head which utilizes a multi-layer ceramic piezoelectric plate as an actuator
- FIG. 3 ( a ) show another conventional printer head which utilizes a single-layer ceramic piezoelectric plate as an actuator
- FIG. 3 ( b ) shows the voltage applied across the electrodes when operating the actuator shown in FIG. 3 ( a );
- FIG. 4 ( a ) shows a side view of a piezoelectric ceramic printer head, in a neutral state, according to the present invention
- FIG. 4 ( b ) shows a side view of a piezoelectric ceramic printer head, in a operating state, according to the present invention.
- FIG. 4 ( a ) shows a structure of a piezoelectric ceramic printer head according to the embodiment of the present invention.
- the printer head includes a double-layer piezoelectric ceramic plate 41 , a deformable polymer membrane 42 and an ink tank 43 .
- the ceramic plate 41 has a piezoelectric parameter (d 31 ) about ⁇ 215*10 ⁇ 12 m/V.
- the deformable polymer membrane 42 is made of, for example, the polyester or polyimide.
- the ink tank 43 which is made of ceramic materials, such as zirconium oxide or aluminum oxide.
- the ink tank 43 is formed by a bottom plane 47 , side walls 46 , an ink inlet 44 and an ink outlet 45 .
- the deformable polymer membrane 42 functions as the top cover of the ink tank 43 and connects to the top surfaces of the side walls 46 .
- the deformable polymer membrane 42 , side walls 46 , bottom plane 47 together form the enclosure which stores the ink.
- the double-layer piezoelectric ceramic plate 41 consists of two stacked piezoelectric layers of same polarization directions.
- the piezoelectric ceramic plate 41 is mounted on the deformable polymer membrane 42 and functions as an actuator for actuating the membrane 42 .
- the piezoelectric ceramic plate 41 is mounted on the membrane 42 with one end 411 fixedly connected to the membrane 42 and the other end 412 is free to vibrate. As shown, the length of the double-layer piezoelectric ceramic plate 41 is shorter than that of the membrane 42 .
- the ink outlet 45 is disposed at a horizontal location which substantially corresponds with the location of the free end 412 of the piezoelectric ceramic plate 41 .
- the dual-layer piezoelectric ceramic plate 41 consists of a top layer 49 and a bottom layer 48 , both of which have a same polarization direction.
- the top layer 49 and the bottom layer 48 are equipped with electrodes respectively as shown in FIG. 4 ( a ), and wherein the upper electrode of the top layer 49 and the bottom electrode of the bottom layer 48 are connected to the positive terminal of the voltage supply, the lower electrode of the top layer 49 and the top electrode of the bottom layer 48 are connected to the negative terminal of the voltage supply.
- the electrodes of top and bottom layers 49 and 48 are free of voltage supply, they assume their initial states shown in FIG. 4 ( a ).
- the top layer 49 stretches and the bottom layer 48 shortens.
- the deformable polymer membrane 42 As the piezoelectric ceramic plate 41 bends downwards, the deformable polymer membrane 42 is forced to move downwards accordingly. As the applied voltage is removed and as the piezoelectric ceramic plate 41 returns to its initial undeformed state, the deformable polymer membrane 42 also returns to its initial state shown in FIG. 4 ( a ). As the voltage is applied and removed in very high frequency, the deformable polymer membrane 42 vibrates accordingly in a corresponding frequency. This high frequency vibration action of the deformable polymer membrane 42 generates a perturbation action to the ink within the ink tank. The perturbation action therefore jet the ink out of the ink tank 43 via the ink outlet 45 .
- the manufacturing process of such piezoelectric ceramic jet printer head may be summarized as the following steps.
- a deformable membrane 42 is covered over the top opening of the ink tank 43 to form an enclosure for storing the ink.
- a dual-layer piezoelectric ceramic plate 41 which includes an top layer and a bottom layer.
- the top and bottom layers have same polarization direction.
- Two electrodes are respectively provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the top layer and the bottom layer.
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- Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (8)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US08/956,884 US6362844B1 (en) | 1997-10-23 | 1997-10-23 | Structure of a piezoelectric ink-jet printer head |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US08/956,884 US6362844B1 (en) | 1997-10-23 | 1997-10-23 | Structure of a piezoelectric ink-jet printer head |
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US6362844B1 true US6362844B1 (en) | 2002-03-26 |
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US08/956,884 Expired - Fee Related US6362844B1 (en) | 1997-10-23 | 1997-10-23 | Structure of a piezoelectric ink-jet printer head |
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Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6540314B1 (en) * | 1998-10-27 | 2003-04-01 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink tank, cartridge including the ink tank, and printing apparatus using the cartridge |
US20030088981A1 (en) * | 2000-01-31 | 2003-05-15 | Le Hue P. | Microfluid device and ultrasonic bonding process |
GB2410463A (en) * | 2004-01-29 | 2005-08-03 | Hewlett Packard Development Co | A method of making an inkjet printhead |
US20060050109A1 (en) * | 2000-01-31 | 2006-03-09 | Le Hue P | Low bonding temperature and pressure ultrasonic bonding process for making a microfluid device |
US20060132546A1 (en) * | 2004-12-21 | 2006-06-22 | Tien-Ho Gau | Piezo-driven micro-droplet jet generator |
CN106885120A (en) * | 2017-03-21 | 2017-06-23 | 哈尔滨工业大学 | A kind of micro injection lubricating arrangement of diaphragm seal formula Piezoelectric Driving |
CN109435479A (en) * | 2018-12-11 | 2019-03-08 | 华中科技大学 | A kind of digital spraying print print cartridge |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4520374A (en) * | 1981-10-07 | 1985-05-28 | Epson Corporation | Ink jet printing apparatus |
US5184155A (en) * | 1989-11-10 | 1993-02-02 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Ink jet print head |
US5406318A (en) * | 1989-11-01 | 1995-04-11 | Tektronix, Inc. | Ink jet print head with electropolished diaphragm |
US5465108A (en) * | 1991-06-21 | 1995-11-07 | Rohm Co., Ltd. | Ink jet print head and ink jet printer |
-
1997
- 1997-10-23 US US08/956,884 patent/US6362844B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4520374A (en) * | 1981-10-07 | 1985-05-28 | Epson Corporation | Ink jet printing apparatus |
US5406318A (en) * | 1989-11-01 | 1995-04-11 | Tektronix, Inc. | Ink jet print head with electropolished diaphragm |
US5184155A (en) * | 1989-11-10 | 1993-02-02 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Ink jet print head |
US5465108A (en) * | 1991-06-21 | 1995-11-07 | Rohm Co., Ltd. | Ink jet print head and ink jet printer |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6540314B1 (en) * | 1998-10-27 | 2003-04-01 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink tank, cartridge including the ink tank, and printing apparatus using the cartridge |
US20030088981A1 (en) * | 2000-01-31 | 2003-05-15 | Le Hue P. | Microfluid device and ultrasonic bonding process |
US6783213B2 (en) * | 2000-01-31 | 2004-08-31 | Picojet, Inc. | Microfluid device and ultrasonic bonding process |
US20060050109A1 (en) * | 2000-01-31 | 2006-03-09 | Le Hue P | Low bonding temperature and pressure ultrasonic bonding process for making a microfluid device |
US8152280B2 (en) | 2004-01-29 | 2012-04-10 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Method of making an inkjet printhead |
GB2410463A (en) * | 2004-01-29 | 2005-08-03 | Hewlett Packard Development Co | A method of making an inkjet printhead |
US20050179735A1 (en) * | 2004-01-29 | 2005-08-18 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Method of making an inkjet printhead |
US20060132546A1 (en) * | 2004-12-21 | 2006-06-22 | Tien-Ho Gau | Piezo-driven micro-droplet jet generator |
US7407273B2 (en) * | 2004-12-21 | 2008-08-05 | Industrial Technology Research Institute | Piezo-driven micro-droplet jet generator |
CN106885120A (en) * | 2017-03-21 | 2017-06-23 | 哈尔滨工业大学 | A kind of micro injection lubricating arrangement of diaphragm seal formula Piezoelectric Driving |
CN106885120B (en) * | 2017-03-21 | 2018-09-07 | 哈尔滨工业大学 | A kind of micro injection lubricating arrangement of diaphragm seal formula Piezoelectric Driving |
CN109435479A (en) * | 2018-12-11 | 2019-03-08 | 华中科技大学 | A kind of digital spraying print print cartridge |
CN109435479B (en) * | 2018-12-11 | 2024-02-02 | 华中科技大学 | Ink box for digital jet printing |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ACER PERIPHERALS, INC., TAIWAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SHIEH, SHEN-JYE;LIU, RU-SHI;YANG, YING-JAY;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:008866/0179 Effective date: 19970626 |
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Owner name: BENQ CORPORATION, TAIWAN Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNORS:ACER PERIPHERALS, INC.;ACER COMMUNICATIONS & MULTIMEDIA INC.;REEL/FRAME:012939/0847 Effective date: 20020401 |
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Owner name: BENQ CORPORATION, TAIWAN Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNORS:ACER PERIPHERALS, INC.;ACER COMMUNICATIONS & MULTIMEDIA INC.;REEL/FRAME:014567/0715 Effective date: 20011231 |
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Effective date: 20100326 |